Horizon Europe: Cluster 3 – Civil Security for Society

A guide to cyber security opportunities within Europe’s flagship Research and Innovation Programme

Overview

Horizon Europe is the EU’s current, ninth Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. With a total budget of around EUR 95.5 billion, it is the most ambitious R&I programme in the world.

Under Horizon Europe, civil security research is funded through Cluster 3, one of six clusters within Horizon Europe Pillar II: Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness. EU civil security research aims to provide innovations, modern technologies and data to governments, EU and national authorities, businesses and researchers, on topics of strategic importance for Europe’s security.

If you are interested in working alongside international partners to access significant R&I funding and help shape the future of cyber security across Europe? If so, then Horizon Europe Cluster 3 – Civil Security for Society is worth considering.

Cyber Security in Cluster 3

Cluster 3 offers a dedicated fund for advancing cyber security across Europe. A number of exciting new calls for proposals valued at EUR 71.8 million, will be launched in March 2027 seeking applications which will ultimately strengthen Europe's cyber ecosystem by:

  • Advancing excellence in cyber security research
  • Tackling emerging cyber threats and digital crime
  • Boosting innovation in cyber resilience and digital infrastructure protection
  • Strengthening European and UK partnerships in cyber security
  • Maximizing the impact of R&I investments in digital security

Following Association in January 2024, the UK is now eligible to apply for Horizon Europe funds both as a partner organisation within a consortium and as a Coordinator (lead organisation).

Who should engage?

  • Cyber security and technology developers
  • SMEs developing innovative cyber solutions
  • Digital, Security and AI organisations
  • Research organisations and universities
  • Critical infrastructure operators
  • Law enforcement and security agencies

2026/2027 work programme

Calls for the 2027 programme open on the 2 March 2027 and the deadline for a submission is 15 September 2027.

Topics covered include:

  • AI for Cybersecurity
  • Secure Computing Continuum
  • Secure PQC Implementations and Post-Quantum Digital Trust
  • New Primitives for Hybrid Classical-Quantum Networks

You can find out more about the work programmes here and an overview of the European Commission’s overview of the activity here.

Are you interested in finding out more?

Innovate UK runs monthly seminars to help you navigate the Horizon Europe journey: Introduction to Horizon Europe

A dedicated National Contact Point for Cluster 3 is also on hand to offer you support and guidance: [email protected]


Jill Broom

Jill Broom

Head of Cyber Resilience, techUK

Annie Collings

Annie Collings

Senior Programme Manager, Cyber Resilience, techUK

Olivia Staples

Olivia Staples

Junior Programme Manager - Cyber Resilience, techUK

Cyber Resilience Programme activities

techUK brings together key players across the cyber security sector to promote leading-edge UK capabilities, build networks and grow the sector. techUK members have the opportunity to network, share ideas and collaborate, enabling the industry as a whole to address common challenges and opportunities together. Visit the programme page here.

 

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 Meet the team 

Jill Broom

Jill Broom

Head of Cyber Resilience, techUK

Jill leads the techUK Cyber Resilience programme, having originally joined techUK in October 2020 as a Programme Manager for the Cyber and Central Government programmes. She is responsible for managing techUK's work across the cyber security ecosystem, bringing industry together with key stakeholders across the public and private sectors. Jill also provides the industry secretariat for the Cyber Growth Partnership, the industry and government conduit for supporting the growth of the sector. A key focus of her work is to strengthen the public–private partnership across cyber to support further development of UK cyber security and resilience policy.

Before joining techUK, Jill worked as a Senior Caseworker for an MP, advocating for local communities, businesses and individuals, so she is particularly committed to techUK’s vision of harnessing the power of technology to improve people’s lives. Jill is also an experienced editorial professional and has delivered copyediting and writing services for public-body and SME clients as well as publishers.

Email:
[email protected]
Website:
www.techuk.org/
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jill-broom-19aa824

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Annie Collings

Annie Collings

Senior Programme Manager, Cyber Resilience, techUK

Annie is the Programme Manager for Cyber Resilience at techUK. She first joined as the Programme Manager for Cyber Security and Central Government in September 2023. 

In her role, Annie supports the Cyber Security SME Forum, engaging regularly with key government and industry stakeholders to advance the growth and development of SMEs in the cyber sector. Annie also coordinates events, engages with policy makers and represents techUK at a number of cyber security events.

Before joining techUK, Annie was an Account Manager at a specialist healthcare agency, where she provided public affairs support to a wide range of medical technology clients. She also gained experience as an intern in both an MP’s constituency office and with the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed. Annie holds a degree in International Relations from Nottingham Trent University.

Email:
[email protected]
Twitter:
anniecollings24
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/annie-collings-270150158/

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Olivia Staples

Olivia Staples

Junior Programme Manager - Cyber Resilience, techUK

Olivia Staples joined techUK in May 2025 as a Junior Programme Manager in the Cyber Resilience team.

She supports the programs mission to promote cyber resilience by engaging key commercial and government stakeholders to shape the cyber resilience policy towards increased security and industry growth. Olivia assists in member engagement, event facilitation and communications support.

Before joining techUK, Olivia gained experience in research, advocacy, and strategic communications across several international organisations. At the Munich Security Conference, she supported stakeholder engagement and contributed to strategic communications. She also worked closely with local and national government stakeholders in Spain and Italy, where she was involved in policy monitoring and advocacy for both public and private sector clients.

Olivia holds an MSc in Political Science (Comparative Politics and Conflict Studies) from the London School of Economics (LSE) and a BA in Spanish and Latin American Studies from University College London (UCL).

Outside of tech, Olivia enjoys volunteering with local charities and learning Norwegian.

Email:
[email protected]

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